Open PDF in separate windows

[lvbear]

New update doesn't seem to have option to uncheck opening PDFs in tabs in the same window. How do I get back the ability to open them in separate windows?

[Bernd Alheit · Accepted solution]

Disable the new UI.

[Ellen33045435vgzo]

How do you disable the new UI? 

[annie33972321j9kc]

Navigate to the upper left Menu drop down --> find and click on "Disable new Acrobat Reader". Click on restart. And your settings should go back to how they were before, mine did. 

[Doria236989817msk]

Here just to say thank you. I have Acrobat Pro and was ready to cancel my subscription over this!

[Traditional352552674kbv]

Dear Ellen33045435vgzo,

I was not able to locate which "upper left Menu drop down" you were referring to, in your response.  I was, however, able to go into my Adobe Acrobat--> Edit-->Preferences-->Categories: General--> unchecked the box: Open documents as new tabs in the same window (requires relaunch)".  And that resolved the frustrating feature of opening new .pdf files in tabs.  

[d3s1gnjet]

Adobe Acrobat 2023 ("New Acrobat") needs the option to open each document in a new window.

This should be possible without disabling New Acrobat.

[Brandon34979815gwmv]

I need the ability to open each pdf in a new Window. I am using multiple monitors and tabs are cumbersome and more diffficult to break out, move and view side by side.

[Sarah36092898f4on]

I have been searching for a solution for this too, then someone mentioned dragging the tab to another monitor or to the desktop - which I did and it works!  Hope this is helpful - until they get around to returning the ability to change the setting.

[d3s1gnjet]

Thank you @Sarah36092898f4on - this is helpful. However, for people who must work with dozens (or even hundreds) of .pdf files a day, cross-editing between them, having to clunkily drag tabs out to create windows repeatedly is not a tenable option; it's too slow and cumbersome. Adobe needs to reinstate the feature of the option to open all documents in new windows.

[EricCEN]

Disable New Acrobat.  Then as shown above (after restart) you can go to "Edit-->Preferences-->Categories: General--> unchecked the box: Open documents as new tabs in the same window (requires relaunch)". 

[Shotgun981]

What is the process for Macs?

[Kathleen251607059zaj]

I would really like to see the separate tabs. How do I bring them back ?

[J&S EB]

Just grab the tab in acrobat of the document you want in a seperate window  and drag it to a space outside of the original acrobat window or to another monitor.

Found this out of fustration and just trying anything.

[Carol Reece]

I've been just dragging the tab and it was ok, but not great.
Until this morning when the tab would not drag. I tried repeatedly on both tabs and they would not select and move. So, I just gave up on new Adobe.
Hopefully, they won't completely mothball old Adobe before they fix this functionality in new Adobe. Other than that, I was getting pretty adjusted to new Adobe. But I just can't be flicking back and forth between two or more tabs all the time. I can't for the life of me figure out why having documents open in separate windows is such a trial.

[EHSANUL_HAQUE7282]

I am trying to open PDF's in new window on my acrobat pro (3 year license) and I don't see that option in the preferences-general section. Anyone know how to resolve this issue? See the screenshot below of the options that are shown to me in preference-general. his issue?

[EHSANUL_HAQUE7282]

Please help!

[AnandSri]

Hello @EHSANUL_HAQUE7282

I hope you are doing well, and thanks for reaching out.

Could you please share more details about the issue? What is the version of the OS installed? Are you using Acrobat or the freeware Acrobat Reader? Please ensure you have the latest version of Acrobat installed on the machine: 25.001.20997. Planned update: December 9, 2025. Check for any pending updates by navigating to Menu > Help> Check for Updates. Install the updates, restart the app and the machine, and try again.

I am using Acrobat Pro latest build, and latest Windows OS, and I see the Preferences.

Regards,

Anand Sri.